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Despite this troubling increase, DoD officials reported the upturn of reported sexual assaults indicates servicemembers are more comfortable coming forward to report sexual assaults than in the past. This might be the result of congressional efforts to bolster prevention efforts, protect those who come forward, and prosecute perpetrators.

Congress passed considerable reforms in 2012 and 2013, but several legislators continue to push for deeper reforms in the FY 2015 Defense Authorization Bill.

Military sexual assault is a systemic problem that only recently has begun to be addressed by Congress and the Pentagon. A 50-percent increase in reported assaults is shocking, but it might indicate reforms are beginning to work.

It’s clear this issue demands more attention. Further reforms might be necessary if DoD cannot contain this unacceptable problem.

MOAA will continue to follow this issue closely and work with DoD and Congress to ensure victims can come forward without fear of punishment or retaliation and perpetrators are dealt with appropriately.

MOAA Council Hosts Delegation

Nine Virginia legislators speak to 100-plus members.

MOAA’s Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) hosted its congressional delegation for a lunch discussion on Capitol Hill May 20. Nine legislators spoke to more than 100 MOAA members at the event, where the council thanked them for their support to date and urged them to do even more for the military and veterans’ community.

A common theme among the legislators’ remarks was concern over the budget and the need to balance the budget without putting a disproportionate share of the burden on servicemembers and military retirees.

MOAA President Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN (Ret), received the Minuteman Award for his leadership. He thanked legislators for their support and asked members to continue challenging the Pentagon’s rhetoric that military personnel costs are “spiraling out of control.” He emphasized MOAA analysis showing personnel costs have remained roughly one-third of the DoD budget for the past 30 years.

The VCOC recognized Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) with its annual legislative award for his support of many of MOAA’s top priorities and more than three decades in Congress. Wolf is retiring from office this year.

Adm. John Harvey, USN (Ret), Virginia secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security, and Cmdr. Paul Galanti, USN (Ret), commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services — both MOAA Life Members — made the trip from Richmond, Va., and were recognized.
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— Contributors are Col. Mike Hayden, USAF (Ret), director; Col. Mike Barron, USA (Ret); Col. Bob Norton, USA (Ret); Capt. Kathy Beasley, USN (Ret); Col. Phil Odom, USAF (Ret); Col. Catherine Mozden Lewis, ARNG (Ret); Karen Golden; Matt Murphy; and Jamie Naughton, MOAA’s Government Relations Department. To subscribe to MOAA’s Legislative Update, visit www.moaa.org/email.